Pressing and ironing machine



G. RITCHIE, JR. PRESSING AND IRONING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 29. 1919.

' 1,358,879. Patented Nov. 16,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

aww/wtoz Gavin Ritchie In G. RITCHIE, JR. PRESSING AND momma MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29. I9I9. 1,358,879.

Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E1 n uemlfoz Ga w'n Ritchie Jr.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIII G. RITCHIE, JR. PRESSING AND IRONING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, I919.

Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

3'14 van H3021 Gavin Rifoh/c Jr.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

GAVIN RITCHIE, JR, OFIBATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, nssrenoaor THREE-FOURTHS T CHARLES L. BRALEY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

' PRESSING AVND IRONING MAoiaIN Specification of Letters Patent. Patented N 16; 1920 Application filedil'uly 29, 1919. Serial No. 814,043.

, -ing is a specification.

mg the feed roller, and stopping the motor.

following specification.

This invention relates to improvements in pressing and ironing machines.

The main objects of this invention are 1: First, to provide a combined pressing and ironing machine which is very eflicient and convenient in operation.--

Second, to provide a combined pressing and ironing machine which is compact, and simple and economical in structure.

Third, to provide in an ironing machine an improved feed means.

Fourth, to provide in an ironing machine means for automatically raising and lower- Fifth, to provide an improved mounting meansfor a pressing buck whereby the pressure is equalized.

Further objects, and objects relating to .detailsand economies of construction and operation will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects ofmy invention by the devices and means described "in the The invention 1s clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a side elevation of a structure embodying the features of my invention,

parts being shown in vertical section in order to better illustrate the structural details thereof. Y I

Fig. II is an end view looking from the right of Fig. I, the pressing buck being shown in its retracted position by the dotted lines.

Fig. III is an enlarged detail side elevation with the pressing roller carriage in its osition.

on a line corresponding to line 4:4 of

Fi L V y Fig. V is a horizontal section on a llne corresponding to line 55 of Fig. II.

Fig. VI is a detail view partially in vertical section on a line corresponding .to line 66 of Fi V. Y

Fig. VI is a detail view partially in vertical section on a line corresponding to line '7 of Fig. I, showing details of the frame structure. Fig. VIII is a detail view of the face of the feedboard.

Referring to the drawings, the base 1 is preferably a casting comprising a longitudinal centrally disposed member 2, and end members 3. The base is provided with sockets 4 for the tubular uprights 5 which are preferably formed of sectlons of pipe, the same being secured in the sockets by the plns 6.

Braces 7'extend from the T-shaped toppieces 8 engaged in the upper ends of the uprights 5,see Fig. II and Fig. VII.

The steam chest or ironing shoe 9 is mounted on brackets 10 sleeved upon and secured to the uprights 5. This steam chest is provided with a concaveironing face 11 i on its upper side, and a downwardly facing pressing face 12 on its under side.

The feed and pressing roller 13 is rovided with a shaft 14 carried by a carriage or movable support consisting of the tubular end members 15, slidably mounted on the uprights and connected by the cross bar 16, the end members being provided with bearings 17 at their lower ends for the shaft 14, and the upright being vertically slotted at 18 to receive the shaft and permit the vertical movement of the carriage.

The driving shaft 19 is mounted on the carriage above the cross bar 16, the uprights being slotted to provide vertical movement of this shaft. 1

The motor 20 ismounted on a bracket 21 '24, 25, 26 and 27; As the details of these gears form no part of this invention, they are not further described herein.

An adjusting weight '28 is mounted on the bar 16 so that it mav be adjusted thereon to secure a substantially uniform pressure on the feed roller.

ion

To raise the roller 13, the shaft 14 is provided with cams 29 arranged to coact with the sliding abutments 30, mounted on the frame below the cams. The abutments are provided with return springs 31, but these springs are not of sufficient strength to retract the abutments while they are engaged by the earns 29. As soon, however, as they are relieved of the load by the rotation of the cams, the springs retract them. They are connected by a cross rod 32 which serves as a handle, the handle being arranged to be manipulated from the feed board side of the machine.

When the handle is actuated to project the abutments 30, they lie in the path of the cams vso that'they are engaged thereby and when the high point of the cams is reached, the carriage is elevated bringing the motor control contacts 32, shown conventionally, into engagement and stopping the motor with the carriage in its elevated position. In theevent of its being-desired to elevate the carriage by hand, as for instance, if the motor has stopped, I provide the shaft 19 with a crank, shown conventionally, at 33.

The motor'is started by means of a hand operated switch operatively associated with the contacts 32 to break the short circuit. On the'starting of the motor with the carriage in is elevated position, the springs 31 return the abutments to their retracted or inoperative position as, soon as they are released on the dwell of the cams. The weight of the floating parts provides the pressure, no springs or levers or like pressure means being required. Additional weights 28 may be provided, if desired.

The feed board 34 is pivoted at 35 so that its face 36 may be swung to and from the feed roller 13, the feed board face 36 being curved to correspond to the feed roller and engage or coact with the same at a point just above the steam chest 9. This feed board is provided with a suction chamber 37, its face being perforated as indicated in Fig.- VIII, so that the articles to be ironed are held against the face. This is a great convenience in arranging articles on the feed board, and it also assists in straightening or smoothing the articles as they are drawn forward over the feed board by the feed roller.

The suction is secured from a small motor driven pump 38 connected with the suction chamber by the vertical pipe 39, A shelf 40 is arranged'below the feed board for sup: porting the articles in this position.

' The switch board 41 is preferably arranged at one end of the feed board for the conveni'engte of the operator. I do not attempt to "illustrate the electrical wiring or connections as such this invention. To return the articles to the operator,

ydetails form no part of where it is desired to pass them through the so that the articles are guided around the a The supporting standard 45 of the pressing buck is pivotally moimted at 46 on a link 47 pivoted at 48. The actuating lever 49 is mounted on this same pivot 48, and is provided with a roller 50 which engages the inclined cam end 51 of ,the link as the lever is forced downwardly so that a sort of toggle cam action is afforded to elevate the standard and apply pressure thereto. A spring buffer 52 is provided for the lever.

The standard is supported for lateral swinging movement by the. yoke 53 having spring buffers 54 and 55 at the ends thereof. When in its forward position, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. II, the articles to be pressed ma be conveniently arranged upon the buck which is then swung rearwardly under the steam chest and actuated by means of the foot lever 49. A comparatively short stroke of the lever is ali that is required, and sufficient power is exerted with but little effort on the part of the operator.

To permit the pressing buck to adjust itself to the steam chest or equalize the pressure .thereon, the pressing buck is provided with a centrally disposed threaded shank or screw 56 on which the spherical support 57 is threaded. This support rests on the upper end of the tubular standard. The shank or screw 56 has a friction means engaging the standard consisting of a friction disk 58 arranged between two clamping disks 59, threaded upon the screw, the friction disk projecting beyond the edges of the disks 59 to engage the standard,--see Fig. IV. By this means the pressing buck is 'adjustably supported for the purposes described.

My improved combined ironing and pressing machine is very compact; it is comparatively simple and economical in structure, and is very eflicient and at the same time very convenient to use.

I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain modifications or adaptations which I contemplate as I believe that disto meet the different working conditions or special work which it may be intended to perform. My lmproved combination machine is well adapted for use inlaundries forcarrying out the so-called family methods, that is,

Where the entire laundry of one customer is handled as a batch or job, as distinguishedfrom the method where the articlesof vari ous customers are marked and thrown together to be afterward sorted. The machine is also Well adapted for family use.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. III all ironing machine, the combination of a frame comprisin a base, a pair of uprights, braces extending from the upper ends of said uprights to said base, a chest or ironing shoe mounted on said uprights, a coacting feed and pressing roller, a shaft therefor, a feed roller carriage comprising a 1 pair of end members on which said shaft is mounted sleeved upon said uprights, a driving motor mounted on one of said and members, a driving shaft mounted on said end members, a train of gears mounted onv the other end member and connecting said driving and feed roller shafts, a pair of lifting cams on said rollerv shaft, abutment slides mounted on said uprights to coact -with said cams, return springs for said slides, means *for simultaneously actuating said slides to operative position, and a motor control means for stopping the motor when said roller carriage is in its elevate position. I 2. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame comprising a base, a pair of upirights, -braces extending from the upper ends of said uprights tosaidnbase, a chest or ironing shoe mounted on sald uprights,

"a coacting feed and pressing roller, a shaft therefor, a feed roller carriage comprising a pair of end members on which said shaft is mounted sleeved upon said uprights, a

driving motor mounted on one of saidendmembers, a driving shaft mounted on said end members, a train of gears mounted on the other end member and connecting said driving and'feed roller shafts, and means for actuating said carriage for lifting the roller from the iron shoe.

3. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame comprising a base, a pair of uprights, braces extending from the up- I per ends of said uprights to said base, a

chest or ironing shoe mounted on said uprights, a coacting feed and pressing roller,

a shaft therefor, a'feed roller carriage compising a pair ofend members on which said shaft is mounted sleeved upon said uprights and a cross bar connecting the upper ends of said end members, a driving motor mounted on one of said end members, a driving shaft mounted-on said end members above said cross bar, a train of gears mounted on the other end member and connecting said driving and feed roller shafts, a welght adjustably mounted on said cross bar and 'means for elevating said carriage for separating the roller'from the shoe.

4:. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame comprising a pair of uprights, an ironing shoe, a feed roller, a

shaft therefor, a feed roller carriage compising a pair of end members on which said shaft is mounted slidable upon said uprights, a driving motor mounted on one rights, an ironing shoe, a feed roller, shaft therefor, a feed roller carriage comprising 'a-pair of end members on which said shaft is mounted slidable upon said uprights, a driving motor mounted on one of said end members, a'driving shaft mounted on said roller carr1age,-a train of gears mounted on the other end member connecting said driving and feed roller shafts, and means for actuating said carriage for lifting the roller from the iron shoe. p I i W 65111 aniironing machine, the combina; tion pf a frame comprising a pair of uprights,'arf ironing shoe, a feed roller, a shaft therefor, a feed roller carriage comprising apairof end members on which said shaft is mounted slidable upon said uprights and a cross bar connecting said end members, a

driving motor mounted on one of said end members, a driving shaft mounted on said roller carriage, a train of gears mounted on the other end member connecting said driving and feed roller shafts, a weight adjustably mounted on said cross, bar and means for elevating said carriage for separating the roller.

7. lfn an ironing'machine, the combinatlon of a frame, a chest or ironing shoe mounted on said frame, a coacting feed roller, a shaft therefor, a feed roller carriage, a driving motor mounted on said carriage, driving connections therefrom to said roller shaft on said carriage, a weight adjustablymounted on said carriage, means for actuating said carriage for lifting the roller from the iron shoe, and a motor control means for stopping the motor when said roller carriage is in its elevated position.

8. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, a chest or ironing shoe mounted on said frame, a coacting feed roller, a shaft therefor, a feed roller carriage, a driving connections therefromto said roller shaft on said carriage, a Weight adjustably mounted on said carriage, and means for actuating said carriage for lifting the roller from the iron shoe. v

9. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, a chest or ironing shoe mounted on said frame, a coacting feed roller, a shaft therefor, a feed roller carriage, a driving motor, driving connections therefrom to said roller shaft, a lifting cam on said roller shaft, an abutment slide mounted to coactl with said cam, means for actuating said slide to operative position, and a motor control means for stopping the motor When said roller carriage is in its elevated position.-

10. In a combined ironing and pressing machine, the combination of a chest or ironing shoe having a pressing face on its under side, a pressing buck, a supporting standard therefor, a pivoted supporting link for said standard having acam face thereon, and an actuatinglever mounted on said pivoted link and provided With a pin coa cting With the cam face of said link.

11. The combination of a heated member having a pressing face on'its under side, a pressing buck, a supporting standard therefor, a plvoted supporting link for said stand ard having a cam'thereon, and an actuating lever mounted on said pivoted link and propin coacting with the cam face an adjustable pressing buck, and means for applying pressure to said buck.

13. In an ironing machine, the combination of a steam chest or concave, a coacting feed and pressing roller, and a feed board mounted for adjustment to and from said feed and pressing roller, and a feed board therein with a foraminated face curved to coact With the chest. v I

14. In an ironing machine, the .comhina tion of a feed roller, a feed board adjustahly supported relative to said feed roller and.

feed roller above the steam having a suction chamber therein With a foraminated face opposed to said feed roller. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

GAVIN RITCHIE, JR. n s] Witnesses:

; C. (I. OALLAGHAN, M. J. FRANKLIN. 

